Flying out of Tri-Cities? Holiday travel tips in the time of COVID-19
The days leading up to Christmas are some of the busiest travel days of the year. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your trip goes smoothly if you’re flying out of town this year.
Tri-Cities Airport Director Buck Taft offered some tips to ensure passengers get to their flights safely — and on time.
Taft said that they are not anticipating any issues with parking this year, and that’s because the number of flights going through the airport are down from 2019.
But while those flights are well booked, he said, the TSA security checkpoints shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes for travelers to get through.
COVID tests, masks
Taft also said that while vaccines or negative COVID tests are generally not required for domestic travel, rules for international travelers may be different.
Passengers should check the website for their airlines for specifics about their itinerary and destination.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, health and safety measures at the airport, and on board flights, are still in place.
Passengers should remember that face coverings or masks are required in the airport, and that the TSA is still requiring passengers to wear masks on all flight through March 2022.
Taft said passengers with layovers or connections should remember to continue wearing masks or face coverings at other airports.
Passengers who refuse to wear masks could be fined up to $1,000 for the first violation, and even more for subsequent citations.
In September, CNBC reported that mask disputes were at the center of more than 75% of 4,200 cases of unruly passengers that the Federal Aviation Administration has investigated this year.
Disrupting a flight over refusal to wear a mask could lead to fines, removal from the flight and even criminal charges.
The FAA does not have the authority to issue criminal charges, but has been working to refer cases to the FBI and Department of Justice after a spike in incidences this year, which have prompted the agency to implement a zero tolerance policy.
In addition to mask requirements, the Tri-Cities Airport has installed features to minimize person-to-person contact, which includes social distance makers, plexiglass windows and restricted seating.
Guns
The TSA has also seized more guns than ever at airports this year.
In the first nine months of 2021, the TSA seized almost 4,500 guns at airports across the country, which is more than all of 2019. Time Magazine reports that about 85% of those guns were loaded.
Passengers can travel with firearms if they follow the proper procedures, which are detailed on the TSA’s website.
Tri-Cities Airport said earlier this year that they were seeing that same increase in firearms seizures at airports in Washington and across the country.
Liquids, holiday goodies
Passengers also should remember the “3-1-1 rule” when going through security: 3 ounces of liquid in a 1 quart bag, 1 bag per person.
While travelers can carry wrapped gifts, if the gift triggers an alarm at a checkpoint, it may need to be unwrapped. The airport instead suggests using gift bags or boxes, or waiting until after you arrive at your destination to wrap gifts.
Holiday foods like cookies or ham can be put in carry-on bags.
However gifts over 3.4 liquid ounces that can be spilled, sprayed, poured or pumped should be put in checked bags. That includes items such as gravies, jams and jellied fruits.
Snow globes can be carried on if they are under the limit for liquids. The airport said a good rule of thumb is that if it’s smaller than a tennis ball, it’s probably under the 3.4 ounce limit.
Passenger pickup
Passengers should be picked up at the curb, with drivers waiting in the cell phone lot until the passenger has all of their bags ready and contacts to let them know they are ready to be picked up.
If someone does need to go inside to help the passenger, the airport said that only one person should come inside and that they will need to comply with all health and safety requirements.
This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 10:29 AM.
